Giving Thanks...

Thanksgiving had a much different feel to it this year. For one, it was sunny, hot, and humid.  For two, I was a half a world away from friends and family.  As different as it was, I was thankful all the same.
I'm thankful for this new journey that I am on.
I'm thankful for the new friends I have here in the Philippines.
I'm thankful for the Harvell family making me feel like one of their own. 
I'm thankful for my parents & family who support me, love me, pray for me and always hope for the best for me.
I'm thankful for my friends who laugh with me and cry with me... who know my heart.. the good and the bad, and always stand with me.
I'm thankful for skype and vonage phone calls.
I'm thankful that Christ came to save sinners.
I'm thankful that His grace is sufficient for those times when I don't feel thankful.
I'm thankful that when I am weak He is strong.
I'm thankful that Jesus is enough. 
AND.  I'm thankful for the obedient hearts of the 19 youth that were baptized on Saturday.
(check out my Facebook page for more pics from the day)

 

Giving thanks with a grateful heart, 

 Sara

Busy and Blessed Saturdays!

It's another Saturday in the Philippines and time for kids group!  I took some pictures to show you what a typical Saturday is like here for us here...

Marie, one of the teachers, prepares the activity before the kids arrive.  It's almost 4p.m. so we head to the back gate to meet the kids and bring them to the house.

The kids line up and show there passes to be let in... SO EXCITED!

Walking back to the house to start the lesson!

Taking attendance...

Playing with play dough...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

learning a new song

Bible Story time

After the lesson, song, life verse, and snack the kids head home.  We have 25 kids who come every week and are learning about the Bible!  What a joy it is to watch them hear new stories about God.  So much fun! 

After kids group the adults and youth come to the house for church service.  We worship and study the Word together.  A busy and blessed Saturday! 

Sara

Another blessed week...

Wow.  This has been another blessed week here in the Philippines.  My supervisors (Greg and Jill) are out of the country at a training and so I have been "holding down the fort" with their son Caleb.  I have had some challenging moments and have struggled through some days of feeling alone.  BUT.  I am not alone.  I think that the Lord has used this time to remind me that He is always with me and that He is constantly watching over me.   Several weeks ago I shared 1 Peter 5:7 with the girls group that I meet with and we shared things that we worry about.  This past week, the same verse was shared again at the Women's Bible Study that I attend.  This time from the Amplified Version of the Bible.

"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."

 How comforting to know that He is "watchfully caring" about us.  His mind isn't elsewhere for us to work to gain His attention.  He already knows our cares, anxieties, worries, concerns, etc. He is just affectionately waiting for us to cast them on Him.  WOW.  I don't know about you, but I can be consumed with worry.  Lord, help us to stand on Your promises today and always..."once and for all". 

Last Saturday at church I was blessed to share in The Lord's Supper with the M.H.C.C family.  It was a sweet time of focusing on the Lord and being thankful for His blood that was shed, and His body that was broken for us all. 

 

 I would like to pass along a few prayer requests...

1.  The sister of a family that attends the M.H.C.C. recently passed away.  Please pray for comfort and  peace as they grieve this great loss.

2.  Another family recently learned that their father is suffering with cancer.  Please pray for them as well. 

I was blessed to spend this past weekend with my new friend, Jessica.  Jess moved here 2 weeks after I did as a Journeymen and will be here for 2 years.  Jessica's ministry is focused on college students.  She lives near 3 major colleges in Manila.  We spent time sharing each others hearts and talking in English! It was great to get to know her and have her share in the ministry that is happening here in the Harvell home. 

The last thing I would like to share with you is this.... I HELD A BABY BIRD!  Here is proof. 

  Sara

Happy Halloween!

Here are some pictures from the subdivision Halloween Party last weekend!  I had fun helping with the decorations, and was asked to judge the costume contest...

                                                                 A giant scary spider

                                                                Giant pumpkins


                                          
Hot Dogs on a stick, BBQ sticks, sandwiches, and ice cream!


Here are some of my favorite "Trick or Treaters"

                                                
It was such a fun night!  The next day we had a halloween party with the Children's Group!

                               They made their own pumpkins

                              And had yummy snacks

This past weekend I also got to watch my dear friend Neoma get married.  I am so thankful for skype so that I could be a part of her big day.  It was amazing to celebrate with them from across the world.

I continue to be amazed at how the Lord sustains us for every moment of everyday.  Recently a friend commented on how I seem to have found my place here so quickly and asked what I thought about it... I feel blessed.  This journey has by no means been easy, but I feel the Lord's presence, peace, and grace surrounding me.   He is faithful, He is trustworthy, He is good.  As a stumble through this journey I continue to ask the Lord to light my path, to make me secure in His love, and to change me to be more like Jesus.
To God be the Glory,
Sara